Education leaders react to ruling

Jan. 10, 2013

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Reaction was mixed locally to word that a state judge ruled the funding mechanism used in the state's voucher program is unconstitutional.

Educators and teachers representatives count the decision as a step in the right direction, while others are concerned about the decision's potential impact on children.

The state's scholarship program funds nonpublic educations for low-income students attending public schools rated C, D, or F.

Sen. Mike Walsworth, R-West Monroe, is on the Senate Education Committee and voted in favor of the scholarship program in the past legislative session. Walsworth said the judge ruled using Minimum Foundation Program money to pay for the program was unconstitutional, not the program itself.

"The reason that I voted for this is for the kids," he said. "It would be a shame for the kids to have to return to a failing school after they may have had a taste of what a good educational experience could be like."

Walsworth said that if following appeals of the ruling, the transfer of funds is still ruled unconstitutional, he hopes there are other ways to allow the program to continue.

"I'd like to see where we can go from here," he said. "I would to at least see if we can find funding somewhere else outside the MFP as we've done in previous years."

Local educators, such as Ouachita Superintendent Bob Webber, call the judge's ruling a step in the right direction.

"Apparently the judges feel the same way the public school superintendents feel," he said. "It's not appropriate to take local taxpayer money to fund private schools, especially since the private schools don't have the same accountability standards we are required to meet. We believe the vouchers are hurting public school systems."

Lincoln superintendent Danny Bell agreed.

"I'm sure there will be an appeal, no doubt, but I think it is reassuring to see that someone has listened to the argument and looked at it from a constitutional perspective and agreed that this can't or shouldn't be done."

Sandie Lollie of the Monroe Federation of Teachers said although she was guardedly optimistic the judge's ruling would be that the funding mechanism was unconstitutional, she didn't believe it would happen. Lollie was one of many educators who traveled to Baton Rouge on the first day of the past legislative session to make their feelings known.

"Way back when it started at the Capitol, it just seemed like all the doors were being shut and locked down and hopeless," she said. "But, this just goes to show that you should never give up hope. I thought our governor had sealed the deal with everyone."